Camden South vs Elderslie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camden South and Elderslie are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 52 km and 50.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $162 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Camden South
Elderslie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden South | Elderslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,360 | $6,498 | -$138 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,631 | $11,469 | +$162 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,671 | $7,371 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camden South | Elderslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Camden South vs Elderslie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden South and Elderslie cost within $162 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,857, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,671 from Camden South versus $7,371 from Elderslie.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camden South by $138 a year, $6,360 against $6,498.
- Building insurance favours Elderslie by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Camden South against low in Elderslie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden South cumulative | Elderslie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,631 | $11,469 | $162 |
| Year 3 | $35,950 | $35,450 | $500 |
| Year 5 | $61,751 | $60,890 | $861 |
| Year 10 | $133,336 | $131,479 | $1,857 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden South or Elderslie cheaper to live in?
Elderslie is cheaper to run by car at $11,469 per year versus $11,631 for Camden South, a difference of $162 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden South and Elderslie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Camden South (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Elderslie (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden South and $1,548 in Elderslie. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Camden South and Elderslie?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Camden South and $6,498 from Elderslie to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden South and $2,400 from Elderslie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden South and Elderslie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden South costs a cumulative $133,336 and Elderslie costs $131,479 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,857 in favour of Elderslie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden South and Elderslie is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Camden rates (OLG and Camden rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.